System and components for safely enclosing handrails, stairways, walkways and platforms

ABSTRACT

Safety barriers such as guardrails, handrails, walkways, and platforms are found in a large variety of industrial commercial, residential and public sites typically consist of an open framework of horizontal, vertical or inclined pipes. However in some cases such open systems do not provide a sufficient barrier to prevent dropped objects such as tools from escaping the confines of the handrail system and creating a hazard. To address this deficiency a system for enclosing a safety barrier has been developed which includes a specially adapted bracket for attachment to posts such as stanchions, hand rails or knee rails and a guard panel which is attached to the bracket and is used to enclose the side walls of the safety barrier to reduce the dropped object hazard. The bracket has an open clipping configuration to allow it to clipped onto the stanchions (or other supports) and left in place. There bracket can then moved into a closed configuration and clamped in place, after which a guard panel can be mounted onto the bracket. The bracket has a number of safety advantages. Firstly as the bracket can be clipped in place the installer can safely work from within the confines of the walkway. Secondly once the bracket is clipped in place, the installer is free to let go of the bracket and can pick up other tools or perform other tasks, and is not required to continue to hold the bracket until it is clamped in place (and risk dropping either the bracket or tools). The system additionally comprises step guards for enclosing the vertical gap (rise) between steps, and floor brackets and flooring sheet for covering grid mesh floors.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority from Australian ProvisionalPatent Application No 2010905499 entitled “SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS FORSAFELY ENCLOSING HANDRAILS, STAIRWAYS, WALKWAYS AND PLATFORMS” filed on15 Dec. 2010, and Australian Innovation Patent No 2011100489 entitledSYSTEM AND COMPONENTS FOR SAFELY ENCLOSING HANDRAILS, STAIRWAYS,WALKWAYS AND PLATFORMS filed on 29 Apr. 2011, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to safety barriers. In a particular formthe present invention relates systems and components for safelyenclosing substantially open barriers such as handrails, stairwayswalkways, and platforms.

BACKGROUND

Safety barriers such as guardrails, handrails, walkways, and platformsare found in a large variety of industrial commercial, residential andpublic sites. They are typically located at the edge of walkways,stairs, or platforms where they are used to prevent falls, limit accessto potentially unsafe or dangerous areas, and/or to provide support orprotection in uneven or potentially slippery ground.

In particular Australian Standard AS1657-1192 relates to the design,construction, and installation of fixed platforms, walkways, stairways,and ladders which are intended to provide means of safe access to andsafe working at places normally used by operating, inspection,maintenance, and servicing personnel. This standard defines guardrailing as any structure to prevent persons from falling off anyplatform, walkway or landing. Handrails include rails to providehandhold on a platform, walkway, stairway, or step ladder and may formpart of a guard railing. A walkway is passageway that is either level orsloping from the surrounding floor or level. It may be a continuousstructure or steps with landings and covers inclinations in the rangefrom 0° to 26.5°. A stairway is a sloping stepped structure having notless than three rises and having a slope within the range of 26.5° to 45degrees inclusive. A platform is an area provided for access or working,which is elevated above the surrounding floor or level, and a landing isa level area used to provide access to a stairway or ladder, or locatedat an intermediate level in a system of stairways or ladders.

A common type of guardrail or handrail system often found in public andindustrial sites uses an open framework of horizontal, vertical orinclined pipes or tubes (which in cross section may be circular, square,rectangular, oval, etc) to support a handrail. However in some casessuch open systems do not provide a sufficient barrier to prevent people,or carried objects such as tools or products, from escaping the confinesof the handrail system. This can create hazards for both people on thewalkways, who can slip out of, or may be forced to lean out over thehandrail or through gaps into potentially unsafe areas to retrieve lostobjects, as well as to persons below them who may be hit by fallingobjects potentially causing significant injury or even death dependingupon the object dropped and the height it is dropped from. Further, manywalkways, stairways and platforms in industrial or commercial sitesinclude floors constructed of open grid mesh or grating, which providelittle protection to persons or equipment below the floor from material(solid or liquid) spilled or dropped whilst being carried across thefloor.

There is thus a need to provide systems and components to at leastpartially enclose open barrier systems, or at least provide a usefulalternative.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided a guarding system forenclosing a substantially open sidewall of a barrier system, the barriersystem comprising a plurality of support members each having apredefined profile, comprising:

-   -   a plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the        plurality of support members, each of the plurality of brackets        comprising:    -   a post engaging portion wherein the post engaging portion has an        open configuration to allow the bracket to be removably clipped        onto and retained around the post whilst in the open        configuration, and a closed configuration to allow clamping of        the post engaging portion to the post;    -   a clamping portion comprising:        -   a first clamping portion; and        -   a second clamping portion wherein in the closed            configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards            the first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post            and are fastened in the closed configuration by a first set            of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in the            first and second clamping portions; and    -   a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting        of the guard panel to the bracket with a second set of one or        more fasteners and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate        from the post, wherein the standoff arm is orthogonal to the        mounting plate; and    -   a plurality of guard panels for attachment to the plurality of        brackets, to enclose at least a portion of the vertical space of        the open sidewall.

In a further aspect the post engaging portion is located between themounting portion and the clamping portion and comprises a profilematching at least a portion of the predefined profile of the post toallow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open configurationand the first and second clamping portions extend from a first end and asecond end of the post engaging portion so that movement of the firstclamping portion towards the second clamping portion clamps the bracketaround the post to form the closed configuration.

In a further aspect the post engaging portion comprises a clip portionhaving a profile matching at least a portion of the predefined profileof the post to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in theopen configuration; and a moveable portion comprising a slot to allowthe moveable portion to be deformed to allow the bracket to bereconfigured from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Inone aspect the slot extends over an arc of 90°, and the moveable portionis hand deformable.

In a further aspect the mounting plate further comprises a plurality ofapertures to allow a guard panel to be mounted at a range of locationsand inclinations with respect to the plate.

In a further aspect the guard panels are mounted to extend continuouslyup from the floor to a height below the handrail sufficient to providehand access to the handrail, so as to substantially enclose side wall ofthe barrier. In a further aspect the guard panels are formed from asheet comprising a plurality of apertures. This assists in reducing theadditional wind load on the structure.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of installing aguarding system for enclosing a substantially open sidewall of a barriersystem comprising a plurality of support members, the method comprisingthe steps of

-   -   obtaining a plurality of brackets according to the first aspect        for attachment to two or more of the plurality of support        members; and    -   obtaining at least one guard panel for attachment to the        plurality of brackets, to enclose at least a portion of the        vertical space of the open sidewall;    -   clipping at least one of the plurality of brackets to each of        two or more of the plurality of support members;    -   for each of the at least one brackets clipped to each of two or        more of the plurality of support members:        -   moving one or more portions of the respective bracket to            change the configuration of the bracket from the open            configuration to the closed configuration; and        -   fastening the bracket in the closed configuration so as to            clamp the bracket to the respective support member;    -   fastening one of the at least one guard panel to at least one        bracket clamped to two or more of the plurality of support        members.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a bracket for use inmounting a guard panel to a post having a predefined profile in an openbarrier system so as to reduce the dropped object hazard, comprising:

-   -   a post engaging portion wherein the post engaging portion has an        open configuration to allow the bracket to be removably clipped        onto and retained around the post whilst in the open        configuration, and a closed configuration to allow clamping of        the post engaging portion to the post;    -   a clamping portion comprising:        -   a first clamping portion; and        -   a second clamping portion wherein in the closed            configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards            the first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post            and are fastened in the closed configuration by a first set            of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in the            first and second clamping portions; and    -   a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting        of the guard panel to the bracket with a second set of one or        more fasteners and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate        from the post, wherein the standoff arm is orthogonal to the        mounting plate.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a flooring bracket foruse in mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh floor comprising attwo support members having a predefined profile and pitch, comprising:

-   -   an upper surface comprising:        -   two flange portions for engaging the upper surface of two            adjacent support members in a grid mesh floor; and        -   a mounting portion to allow mounting of a sheet to the top            surface of the flooring bracket;    -   two resilient arms for engaging adjacent support members, each        arm connected to the upper surface and spaced apart by distance        matching the gap between the interior side faces of the adjacent        support members and each arm having a lower projection for        resiliently engaging the lower surface of the respective support        member so that in use the flooring bracket is retained by        engaging the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent support        members.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a flooring bracket foruse in mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh floor comprising attwo support members having a predefined profile and pitch spacing,comprising:

-   -   an upper surface comprising a mounting portion for mounting a        floor sheet, and at least one flange portion with a width less        than the predefined pitch spacing;    -   a lower channel portion, comprising a bottom surface and two        opposite site walls, wherein the opposite sidewalls comprise        alternate cut away portions located at opposite ends of the        channel; and    -   a fastener which passes though an aperture in the upper surface        and an aperture in the bottom surface of the lower channel        portion, and having a shaft portion joining the upper surface,        wherein in use, the flooring bracket is inserted between        adjacent load bars of the grid mesh floor such that the at least        on flange portion is located between adjacent load bars, and the        side walls of the lower channel portion are at a position above        the bottom edge of a load bar and the lower channel portions are        a position below the bottom edge of the load bar, and rotating        the fastener causes the channel portion to move upwards and        engage with the bottom edge of the load bars to lock the        flooring bracket to the grid mesh floor.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a step guard forenclosing a vertical space of predefined dimensions between consecutivegrid mesh steps, comprising:

-   -   a first set of tongue and grooves along a first horizontal edge        for engagement with a first step;    -   a second set of tongue and grooves along the opposite horizontal        edge for engagement with a second step adjacent; and    -   a riser plate joining the first and second set of tongue and        grooves,    -   wherein the spacing of the tongues in the first and second set        are based on the spacing of crossbars in the grid mesh steps,        and the first set of tongue and grooves are offset with respect        to the second set of tongue to accommodate a range of distances        between the edge of a step and the first cross bar in the step.

According to an seventh aspect, there is provided a step guard forenclosing a vertical space of predefined dimensions between an uppergrid mesh step and lower grid mesh step, comprising:

-   -   a first set of tongue and grooves along a lower horizontal edge        for engagement with the lower step;    -   a nosing for engaging with the front and upper edge of the upper        step; and    -   a riser plate joining the first set of tongue and grooves and        the nosing and which encloses the vertical gap between the upper        and lower step,    -   wherein the spacing of the tongues is based on the spacing of        crossbars in the grid mesh steps.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a step guard forenclosing a vertical space of predefined dimensions between an uppergrid mesh step and lower grid mesh step, comprising:

-   -   a riser plate which encloses the vertical gap between the upper        and lower step; and    -   a stair plate, for at least partially covering and reducing the        size of the gaps between grid mesh elements in either the upper        or lower step and comprising a stair tread for engaging with the        front and upper edge of the step.

According to an ninth aspect, there is provided a dropped objectprevention system for a guardrail, the guardrail comprising a pluralityof support members each having a predefined profile and a floor,comprising:

-   -   a plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the        plurality of support members and for mounting a guard panel,        each bracket comprising a post engaging portion to allow the        bracket to be clipped onto and retained about a support member        from above the floor and within the guardrail prior to clamping,        and then subsequently clamped around the support member, and a        mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting        of the guard panel to the bracket, and a standoff arm for        spacing the mounting plate from the post    -   a plurality of guard panels for attachment to the plurality of        brackets to enclose at least a portion of a vertical space of an        open sidewall of the guardrail, wherein each guard panel is        mounted to the mounting portion of at least one bracket, and in        use is mounted from above the floor and within the guard rail.

The system of the first or ninth aspect may further comprise theflooring bracket of the fifth or sixth aspect, and/or the step guard ofthe sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments will be discussed with reference to theaccompanying figures wherein:

FIGS. 1A to 1E illustrate various views of a walkway with a guardingsystem according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a bracket in an open configuration forclipping onto a support post according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 2A in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 2C is a top view of the bracket in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a top view of the bracket in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2E is a flat pattern for constructing the bracket of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F is an isometric view of another embodiment bracket in an openconfiguration for clipping onto a support post;

FIG. 2G is top view of the bracket in FIG. 2F;

FIG. 2H is top view of the bracket in FIG. 2F in the closedconfiguration;

FIG. 2I is a top view of a washer plate for use with the bracketsillustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2H;

FIG. 2J is an isometric view of another embodiment of a washer plate foruse with the brackets illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2H;

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a stairway which has been enclosedusing an inclined guard panel according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a close up view of the attachment of a bracket to theinclined guard panel illustrated in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a close up view of the attachment of a bracket to theinclined guard panel illustrated in FIG. 3A from the inside illustratingthe use of the washer plate shown in FIG. 2I;

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of the bracket of FIG. 2A clipped around apost;

FIGS. 4B and 4C are isometric views of the bracket of FIG. 2A clamped toa post and with a guard panel mounted;

FIG. 4D is an isometric view a corner section of a platform with meshguard panels and corner joiners according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4E is a close up view of FIG. 4D;

FIG. 5A to 5D illustrates another embodiment of a bracket and a methodof installing the bracket;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket;

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket;

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate isometric, and side views of a pair ofadjacent grid mesh steps;

FIG. 9C illustrates a top view of one of the steps shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement and spacing of load and cross barsin grid mesh floor;

FIG. 11A is an isometric view of an embodiment of a flooring bracket formounting a floor sheet to a grid mesh floor;

FIGS. 11B to 11D illustrate orthographic views of the flooring bracketof FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a side view of the flooring bracket of FIG. 11A insertedinto the grate of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12B is a top view of the flooring bracket of FIG. 11A inserted intothe grate of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13A to 13F illustrate isometric views of the method ofinstallation of floor brackets and mounting of a sheet to a grid meshfloor to cover the grid mesh floor according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are isometric view of another embodiment of a flooringbracket for mounting a floor sheet to a grid mesh floor;

FIGS. 14C to 14E are orthographic views of the upper surface of theflooring bracket of FIGS. 14A and 14B;

FIGS. 14G to 14H are orthographic views of the lower channel portion ofthe flooring bracket of FIGS. 14A and 14B;

FIGS. 15A to 15C illustrates isometric and side views of installationand locking of the bracket of FIGS. 14A to 14H into a grid mesh floor;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are an isometric view of a step guard, and stairwaywith a fitted step guard according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are an isometric view of another embodiment of a stepguard, and a stairway fitted with the step guard;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are an isometric view of another embodiment of a stepguard, and stairway fitted with the step guard;

FIG. 19A illustrates two wire mesh guard panels joined using splicebrackets according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19B illustrates wire mesh guard panels around a stairway joinedusing splice brackets according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19C illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket for joiningtwo wide mesh guard panels illustrated in FIG. 19A according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19D illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket for joining awide mesh guard panels to a narrow mesh guard panel illustrated in FIG.19B according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19E illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket for joiningtwo narrow mesh guard panels illustrated in FIG. 19B according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19G illustrates an isometric view of a splice bracket for joining anarrow mesh to an inclined mesh for a stairway illustrated in FIG. 19Baccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 20A to 20C illustrate isometric views of a rear bracket, narrowbracket and wide bracket respectively for the splice bracket shown inFIGS. 19A to 19F;

FIG. 20D illustrates an isometric view of a U shaped end piece for thesplice bracket shown in FIGS. 19B and 19F for an inclined mesh guardpanel;

FIG. 20E illustrates a side view of the splice bracket shown in FIG. 19Ato 19F; and

FIGS. 21A to 21D illustrates several isometric views of the washer plateof FIG. 2J in use to fasten wire mesh guard panels;

In the following description, like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The system described herein includes three components used to enclosevarious parts of open safety barrier systems such as handrails, walkway,stairs, platforms, grid mesh flooring etc. Such safety barriers aretypically substantially open structures include a coarse grid of support(or structural) members with a variety of large and small gaps betweenthe support members. All three components described herein may be usedtogether, or various combinations of the three, or each components maybe used separately or independently of each other depending upon therequirements of the site, and whether full or partial enclosure isrequired. To assist in understanding the system, illustrativeembodiments of the system will be described in relation to enclosing awalkway incorporating an open handrail. Such open handrails comprisevertical supports, referred to as stanchions, and horizontal middle andupper rails at approximately knee and waist heights above a walkway(which may also include a kick plate). The first component is a guardsystem comprising a bracket and guard panel for enclosing the sides ofopen barrier systems such as walkways, stairs, or the vertical spacebelow a handrail. The second component is a step guard which provides astair tread and back plate to fill in the vertical gap (rise) betweentwo stairs and the third component is a flooring system for covering agrid mesh floor comprising a floor bracket which is inserted between thegaps in a grid mesh floor and secured in place, and which includes amounting platform to allow sheeting to be laid over the grid mesh floor.These components allow for safe and efficient enclosing of handrails,stairways, walkways and elevated platforms.

A walkway enclosed using the above described embodiment is illustratedin FIGS. 1A to 1E. FIG. 1A shows an isometric view 110 of an unenclosedwalkway and FIG. 1B shows an isometric view 120 of the walkway enclosedaccording to an embodiment of the system. FIG. 1C is an end view 130 ofthe enclosed walkway illustrating the brackets, guard panels, floorbrackets and sheeting. FIGS. 1D and 1E are interior and exterior sideviews 140, 150 of walkway illustrating the attachment of guard panel tothe support posts (marked 1D and 1E on FIG. 1C). As shown in FIGS. 1C to1E, an upper and lower bracket is clamped to each post to secure a guardpanel. The guard panels 40 are mounted so that they rest on or near theedge of the kick plate 72 and extend continuously upwards to just belowthe handrail.

The guard panels 40 may be made of flat sheet without any apertures,perforated sheet having a regular array of apertures (as in FIGS. 1C and1D), a mesh sheet (ie array of wires) formed from a mesh, or sheet withperiodic or irregular apertures. Preferably the size of apertures (orgaps) in the panel are chosen so that they are small enough to prevent,or at least to significantly reduce the risk, of dropped objects fallingthrough the apertures (or at least dropped objects, and in particulartools, above a certain size). Providing apertures or openings in theguard panel reduces the weight and will also assist in minimising theadditional wind load on the structure or in reducing the additional windload compared to a flat sheet with no apertures. This facilitates use inexposed or elevated locations without excessively loading the existingstructure. That is any additional load is within allowed limits ordesign specifications for the structure so that retrofitting the systemdoes not compromise the structural integrity of existing structures.Selection of the guard panels to use at a particular location in can bebased upon knowledge of the expected winds at the location to ensurethat fitting a panel will not create an excessive wind load on thestructure. For example mesh arrangements, or sheets with a highproportion of apertures will be preferred in locations such as northernAustralia which are subject to strong wind loads as a result of tropicalstorms and cyclones so as to minimise the additional wind load. In oneembodiment adjacent guard panels have an overlapping portion 160 whichextends over a distance of approximately 50 mm to allow the two panelsto be fastened together using a plurality of fasteners 162 such as selfdrilling or TEK screws, or nuts and bolts. In some embodiments, the sizeof the apertures may be selected so that they can act as pilot holes forfasteners. If the overlap occurs over a post, a single set of fastenersmay be used to both fasten overlapping panels and to attach the panelsto the mounting portion of the upper and lower brackets. In otherembodiments adjacent sheets may be joined at the edge using a splice orjoining plate and appropriate fasteners, such as those illustrated inFIGS. 19A to 19F.

An embodiment of a suitable bracket 1 for safely mounting guard panels40 to posts such as stanchion 50, handrails 60 and knee rails 61 whichform a safety barrier is illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2E. The bracket 1broadly includes a post engaging portion 10, a clamping portion 20 and amounting portion 30. The post engaging portion has two configurations.The open or clipping configuration allows the bracket to be convenientlyclipped onto the post where it will be retained (and grip the post) sothat the installer can release the bracket and attend to other taskswithout the bracket falling off the post and representing a hazard toperson or equipment below, and a closed or clamping configuration inwhich the post engaging portion is clamped so that the bracket istightly fixed or held in place around the post so that it can be used tosupport or mount a guard panel. Additionally the bracket allows theinstaller to safely work within the confines of the walkway withouthaving to extend body parts or tools beyond the support post. That isthe installer can work from above the floor and within the handrails sothe bracket does not become a potential dropped object. The clampingportion may include a first clamping portion and a second clampingportion, wherein the first and second clamping portions are arranged sothat when the bracket is in the closed configuration the second clampingportion is brought into proximity with the first clamping portion toallow the bracket to be clamped to the post using fasteners or othermeans. The mounting portion allows mounting of the guard panel to thebracket. This may be provided in the form of a mounting plate to which aguard panel may be mounted, or an aperture or flange may be providedwhich is received by a mounting portion on a guard panel.

In order for the bracket to clip on (or self-clamp) onto the bracket inthe open configuration, the bracket must not deform plastically whenapplied to post. That is in order to maintain clamping force afterplacement, it must only be flexed over within its elastic zone and theangle of wrap around the post should exceed 180° to ensure it will stayin the initial position is fitted. The characteristics of elasticity andspringiness, and the angle of wrap largely determine the capability ofthe bracket to clip on. Thus varying materials, or thicknesses ofmaterials or cross sectional profiles can be chosen provided thesecharacteristics are retained. The cross sectional profile can be variedto have stiff and flexible zones, provided they are still working viaelastic deformation and springiness (ie they spring back) and thecontact (or contacts) span greater than 180°.

FIGS. 2 and 5 to 8 illustrate various views of embodiments of bracketsfor use in mounting a guard panel to post. FIG. 2A illustrates anisometric view 201 of a bracket 1 in an open configuration for clippingthe bracket onto such a post, and FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric view202 of the bracket in a closed or clamping configuration. FIGS. 2C and2D show respective top views 203, 204 and FIG. 2E illustrates a flatpattern 205 of the bracket indicating required folds, and cut outs andfinishing for manufacturing the bracket from a flat strip. As would beunderstood by the person skilled in the art the dimensions and materialsused may be varied according to the requirements of the specificapplication. The strip could be 316 stainless steel 1.2 mm thick.However the bracket could be constructed of any suitable material suchas other steels of the same or different thicknesses, or otheraluminium, alloys, plastics (eg PVC, PVCU, uPVC, TPU, and otherpolymers), etc. The materials may be coated, painted or containadditives to provide desired properties such as resistance to corrosion,chemicals, UV etc. Selection of other materials should be based onensuring suitable properties such as strength and resiliency to allowthe bracket to be removably clipped onto posts and to support guardpanels, as well as properties such as corrosion resistance and/or UVresistance etc which make them suitable for use in industrial or outdoorenvironments. Another embodiment of this bracket is shown in FIGS. 2F,2G and 2H. FIGS. 2I and 2J illustrate a washer plate that may optionallybe used with the bracket.

Whilst in FIG. 1 the bracket shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E is attached to avertical cylindrical post used to support a handrail (a stanchion). Inone embodiment the post is constructed from 250 grade steel having anouter diameter of 48.3 mm or similar. However, it is to be understoodthat the bracket could be adapted to be fitted to any of the membersforming the structure of the safety barrier including posts, pipes,tubing, handrails, knee rails, foot rails etc, having a range of crosssectional profiles and which may be vertical, horizontal, inclined,curved, etc, herein referred to as support members. Further the systemprovides flexibility in the location at which the bracket is fittedallowing it to be fitted at a range of heights and positions dependingupon the requirements of the specific installation. Further multiplebrackets may be fitted to different parts of a support structure toincrease the strength as required (for example to meet wind loadrequirements).

The bracket 1 broadly includes a post engaging portion 10, a clampingportion 20 and a mounting portion 30. The bracket shown in FIG. 2A isshown in the open configuration which allows the bracket to beconveniently clipped onto a post where it will be retained. The closedor clamping configuration of the bracket is illustrated in FIG. 2B. Inthis embodiment the post engaging portion includes a clip portion 12,and a movable portion 14 and the post engaging portion is constructed tohave sufficient elasticity to allow the bracket to be removably clippedaround the post. That is it does not plastically deform when clipped orsnapped onto the post, allowing it to grip onto the post and allowingre-use. The clip portion is manufactured to have a profile matching atleast a portion of profile of the post so that it will engage and grip(ie frictionally engage) the post whilst in the open configuration. Forexample if the post is cylindrical (eg 24.15 mm radius or 48.3 mmdiameter), the clip portion may have a constant radius substantiallyequal to the radius of the post (eg 24.15 mm). As illustrated in FIG. 4,in this embodiment the clip portion spans an angle of 239.9°(90°±149.9°). The angle of wrap (or wrap angle) will however depend uponthe post the bracket is to be clipped onto need only be sufficient toallow the bracket to clip on and grip the post so that it will beretained around the post. Suitable wrap angles are in excess of 180° andmore preferably in the range of 210° to 300°, and even more preferablyin the range of 220° to 260°. The post engaging portion also includes amovable portion to provide an open configuration to allow the bracket tobe clipped onto and retained around the post and a closed configurationto allow clamping of the bracket or post engaging portion to the post.In this embodiment the movable portion is a straight section having anextended slot which spans the length of the section and weakens thesection to allow it to be deformed by hand from the straight openconfiguration shown in FIG. 2A to the closed configuration shown in FIG.2B. In this embodiment the width of the slot is approximately 30% of thewidth of the bracket. However other variations may be used such as from70% to 100% of the length and 10% to 60% of the width. In the closedconfiguration the moveable portion extends over an angle of 120.1° andmatches the profile of the portion of the post contacted or engaged bythe moveable portion.

In one embodiment the slot extends over an arc of at least 90° toprovide a sufficiently large opening so that the post engaging portionof the bracket is not required to significantly bend to receive the postto which the bracket is being clipped (that is to ensure the bracketdoes not deform when being applied). The length of the slot may beselected based on the strength of the material used to form the bracket.Further in the case that the post varies from the nominal dimensions,the slot enables hand tightening of the bracket to allow the bracket toclip onto and grip the post in the desired position, prior to clamping.In another embodiment the bracket could be formed of two or more membersand a hinge provided between the clip portion and the moveable portion.In this embodiment the moveable portion could be shaped to match theprofile of the portion of the post will be contacted or engaged when inthe close configuration so that no deformation of the shape of themovable portion is required. Various additional stiffening elements maybe added to the post engaging portion increase the strength as requiredto ensure the bracket can support the panel when subjected to wind,impact or other loads.

As shown in FIG. 2C, when in the open configuration the bracket has anopening formed between the start of the clip portion (where it meets theclamping portion) and the moveable portion, and has a width less thanthe outer diameter of the pole the bracket is to be attached too toprovide a snap fit. For example with a 48.3 mm diameter post the widthmay be 38 mm, and for a 33.7 mm diameter post the width may be 28 mm.Preferably the width is in the range of 60% to 90% of the diameter, andeven more preferably the width is in the range 75% to 85%. In thisembodiment the bracket is constructed of 1.2 mm thick 316 StainlessSteel which has sufficient elasticity to allow the bracket to beremovably clipped around the post, and will exhibit sufficient grippingforce to retain the bracket when in the open configuration. That is asthe bracket is placed around the post the moveable portion is pushedoutwards away from the start of the clip portion, until the moveableportion and/or the post engaging portion can resiliently spring (orsnap) back to encompass and retain the bracket around the post. Thisallows an installer to clip the bracket onto the post and then releasethe bracket without fear of it falling off. This also frees up theinstaller to perform other tasks, such as obtain a tool to fasten thebracket in place or to select another bracket to clip onto the same oranother post. This is illustrated in FIG. 4A which is an isometric view401 of the bracket of FIG. 2F clipped around a post. It will further beappreciated that the moveable portion and the clamping portion act asguides (or guide rails) to facilitate clipping of the bracket around thepost.

The clamping portion 22 includes a first clamping portion 22 connectedto one end of the clip portion 22 of the post engaging portion 20 and asecond clamping portion 20 connected to one end of the movable portion24 of the post engaging portion 20. The second clamping portion isarranged so that when the movable portion is in the closedconfiguration, the second clamping portion is brought towards or inclose proximity with the first clamping portion (for example a 1-2 mmgap). This then allows the post engaging portion and thus the bracket tobe clamped to the post and so provide a structurally rigid connectionboth before and after panel installation. A range of fasteners may beused. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B the first andsecond clamping portion each include matching apertures 23 25. A boltmay then be placed through both apertures, and fastened in place using anut. In another embodiment the apertures could be threaded and a screwfastener used to bring the portions together. Alternatively no aperturescould be provided and the two clamping sections could screwed togetherusing self drilling or TEK screws, be externally clamped, or even weldedtogether if the bracket was installed at a site where such hot workwould not give rise to safety concerns. In the embodiments provided inFIGS. 2F to 2H, two apertures 23 a, 23 b, 25 a, 25 b are provided ineach of the first clamping portion 22 and the second clamping portion24. These are provided at opposite ends (ie near the post engagingportion end and the mounting portion end).

A mounting portion 30 is attached to the clamping portion 20 to allowmounting of the guard panel to the bracket at a panel offset distance 26from the centre of the post or a stand off distance 27 from the surfaceof the post. In this embodiment the mounting portion includes a flatplate which is attached to the other end of the first clamping portion.Typically the guard panel is orientated in a plane parallel to a planetangential to the cross section of the post, with the clamping portionacting as a standoff arm to space the post away from the guard panel.That is the radially directed standoff arm is orthogonal (90°) to themounting plate which is parallel to the guard panel. As shown in FIG. 1,the posts are often connected to the outer sides of the walkway (andkick plate). Thus by providing a standoff gap the guard panel can bemounted against the edge of the walkway, or from within the walkway sothat the outwardly extending flanged portion engages the top of thefloor or kickplate to prevent a gap between the edge of the panel andthe walkway. In other embodiments inclined arrangements are possibleprovided the panel will still be mounted in a plane parallel to atangential plane. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the endsof the mounting portion 30 and clamping portion 20 may includestiffening flanges. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2F to 2H, themounting plate is formed from two overlapping plate sections 35 36 whichare formed at the ends of the two clamping portions 22 24 to provideadditional strength.

In the embodiment show in FIGS. 2A to 2E the mounting portion includes aplate which includes a plurality of apertures 32 a to 32 i which act aspilot holes for the fasteners. A similar arrangement is illustrated inFIGS. 2F to 2H. These apertures are arranged to allow the guard panel tobe mounted to perforated plate in a range of locations and inclinations.An aperture free section 34 is also provided in front of the region theclamping fastener(s) will be located so that the fastener(s) used toclamp the bracket together (the first set of fasteners), and thefastener(s) used to mount the panel to the bracket (the second set offasteners) do not interfere with each other. This clearance is furtherillustrated in FIG. 4B which is an isometric view 402 of the bracket ofFIG. 2F clamped to a post and with a guard panel mounted. In this figurethe TEK screws are clear of each other. FIG. 4C is the reverse view 403.

Providing a plurality of apertures provides flexibility in mounting thepanel to the bracket. For example if the apertures in the panel arelarge diameter, then the plurality of apertures in the mounting portionincrease the likelihood that at least one of the apertures in themounting plate will be aligned over an aperture free section of theperforated guard panel. Alternatively the apertures in the guard panelmay be selected to be a size to act as pilot holes for the screwfasteners to be used, and thus providing a plurality of apertures in themounting plate increase the likelihood that at least one aperture in theguard panel will align with one of the apertures in the mounting portionof the bracket. Providing a plurality of apertures in the mounting platealso allows the guard panel to be mounted to level ground (platform orwalkway), inclined ground, or to stairs. This is further illustrated inFIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. FIG. 3A illustrates a side view 300 of a stairwaywhich has been enclosed using an inclined perforated guard panel 40.FIG. 3B shows a close up view 301 of the attachment of a bracket to theinclined guard panel illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B shows the closeup view from within the walkway. The apertures 32 d and 32 h are locatedover flat sections between apertures 42 in the inclined guard panel, andfasteners 84, 85 such as a self drilling TEK screw have been inserted tofasten the bracket and guard panel together.

To assist in fastening the panel to a bracket, or to fasten adjacentpanels together, a washer plate (or button) as shown in FIG. 2I mayoptionally used on the inner side of the panel between the fastener andthe panel to assist with fastening of a panel to a bracket using twofasteners. In this embodiment the a washer plate 80 comprises two spacedapertures 81, 82 with spacing distance 83 each for receiving a fastenersuch as a TEK screw. The spacing of the apertures in the washer plate 83could be set to a predefined spacing distance to match the spacingbetween at least two apertures in the plurality of apertures on themounting plate of a bracket. FIG. 3C illustrates the use of a washerplate 80 for fastening an inclined guard panel to a bracket. Further thearrangement or the distribution of apertures in the mounting plate maybe arranged into two or more pairs which are arranged to allow mountingof guard panels in two or more predefined orientations such ashorizontal and a standard inclination used for stairways. For examplethe apertures 32 d to 32 i may be used for a horizontal panel, andapertures 32 e to 32 i used for a standard stairway (and the distance 32d to 32 i equal to the distance 32 e to 32 i which is equal to thespacing distance 83 of apertures in the washer plate) This enables theinstaller to quickly determine the correct location for the first andsecond fastener depending upon the orientation. Another embodiment of awasher plate 90 is shown in FIG. 2J which is designed for use with wiremesh panels. This washer plate has two rectangular apertures 91 and 92which allow a range of fastener spacings from a minimum spacing 93 to amaximum spacing 94 to provide flexibility. The washer plate furthercomprises flat rectangular section 95 (containing the apertures 91 and92), and two flanged edges 96 97, in this case along the long edge ofthe rectangular section 95.

In one embodiment the bracket shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E is for use with a48.3 mm diameter post and has a width of 32 mm, a clipping portion oflength 101.5 mm, a moveable portion of length 50.25 mm (so the postengaging portion has a radius matching the diameter) with a slot 49 mmlong by 10 mm wide, a 16 mm wide clamping portion, a 32 mm wide mountingportion, and is manufactured from 1.2 mm thick 316 Stainless Steel. Inanother embodiment the bracket shown in FIGS. 2F to 2H is for use with a48.3 mm diameter post and has a width of 42 mm, a clipping portion oflength 101.5 mm, a moveable portion of length 50.25 mm (so the postengaging portion has a radius matching the diameter) with a slot is 49mm long by 16 mm wide, a 35 mm wide clamping portion, a 24 mm widemounting portion and is manufactured from 1.2 mm thick 316 StainlessSteel. In another embodiment the bracket shown in FIGS. 2F to 2H is foruse with a 33.7 mm diameter post and has a width of 42 mm, a clippingportion of length 70.3 mm, a moveable portion of length 45.5 mm (so thepost engaging portion has a radius matching the diameter) with a slot is45.5 mm long by 20 mm wide, a 43 mm wide clamping portion, a 22 mm widemounting portion and is manufactured from 1.2 mm thick 316 StainlessSteel.

It is to be understood that the above described bracket representembodiments of the system and may be varied and still provide the samefunctionality of a clipable bracket for retrofitting of guard panels toopen barrier systems. FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate various alternativeembodiments of the bracket. FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of abracket and a method of installing the bracket 500. The bracket includesa post engaging portion 10, a clamping portion 20 and a mounting portion30 for mounting a guard panel 40 and is formed of a suitably resilientmaterial such as plastic or steel. The bracket comprises two halfsections 512 and 514 are joined along a section 16 leading to themounting portion.

This join could be formed through welding during construction of thebracket, or performed in the field using appropriate fasteners such asself drilling TEK screws or a nut and bolt arrangement. Each of the halfsections has a profile which at least partially matches a post 50 (egstanchion) to which the bracket is to be clipped around. The two ends522 and 524 of the half sections are flanged outward to leave an openingfor receiving the post.

The installation method includes a first step 502 of clipping a bracketonto a post 50 by pushing the opening of the bracket towards the post.At step 504 the outward flanges are (resiliently) pushed outward byengagement with the post, and once the flanges have passed the halfwaypoint (ie diameter) the elasticity or resiliency of the bracket willforce the flange sections towards each other and thus act to clip thebracket around the post into a clipping configuration. As describedabove, slots could be provided in the flange sections and/or the postengaging portions to weaken a section of the bracket to facilitateclipping of the bracket over or around the post. A clamping step 506 isperformed in which the two flange portions (acting as first and secondclamping portions) are moved, deformed or otherwise brought together andthen fastened into a clamping configuration through the use of fastenersuch as a nut 528 and bolt 526. The clamping portions need not meet, orengage with each other provided the fastener acts to clamp the bracketaround the post (eg the fastener may span the gap and act to pull thetwo clamping portions towards each other). The use of slots in theflanged sections facilitates the movement of the sections into theclamped configuration. Finally in a panel mounting step 508 a guardpanel 40 is mounted onto the mounting portion 30 of the bracket in theclamped configuration. This may involve resting the flanged portion atthe bottom of the guard panel on or overlapping the edge of the kickplate to ensure there is no gap formed between the guard panel and thekickplate. Then the guard panel is fastened to the brackets usingfasteners such as one or more TEK screws, optionally using a washerplate.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of bracket 600, shown in the openconfiguration 602 and the closed configuration 604. In this embodimentthe bracket is formed from a single piece of suitably elastic resilientmaterial such as plastic or steel. In the open configuration 602, theoverall shape of the post engaging portion matches the profile or shapeof the post 50 to which the bracket is to be clipped. The two ends ofthe bracket (the clamping portions) are outwardly flanged to provide anopening in the bracket to receive the post. These also act as guiderails to facilitate clipping the bracket to the post. The bracket isclipped in place by pushing the bracket around the post, so that thepost temporarily deflects the two flange sections (and adjacent sectionsof the post engaging portions) outwards. Once the bracket is pushed overthe halfway point the resiliency (springiness) of the material will pullthe bracket around the post (ie snap back to the open configuration) andengage (ie grip) the post to clip the bracket in place. Additionally inthis embodiment an (optional) compressive liner 660 is placed betweenthe post and the bracket and lines at least a substantial portion of theinside surface of the post engaging portion (eg the clip portion of FIG.2A). This liner is made of a suitable compressive material such as ofrubber to allow for expansion and contraction of the post and/orbracket, or differences between the relative expansion/contraction ratesif not formed of the same material, or to account for any irregularities(eg bumps, projections, etc) in the profile of the post and/or bracket.The liner reduces the inner diameter of the bracket to a diameter lessthan the (expected) diameter of the post. Thus when clipped on the linerwill compress to the actual diameter and thus grip onto the post (andwill be further compressed once clamping is performed).

In this embodiment matching apertures are provided in the outwardlyflanged clamping portions so that the clamping portions also act as amounting portion. The guard panel 640 includes an orthogonal mountingprojection 644 including one or more apertures. Clamping and mounting ofthe panel is performed as a single operation. The mounting projection ofthe panel is placed between the two outwardly flanged portions, whichare then moved towards each other so that they are either side of themounting projection. The apertures in the clamping portions and themounting portion are aligned and a bolt 626 is passed through theapertures and then fastened in place using a nut 628. In an alternativeembodiment apertures need not be provided and a self drilling TEK screwcould be used as a fastener. In another alternative embodiment a Tshaped mount is used comprising a mounting plate (2342) and anorthogonal mounting projection (2344) which is placed between clampingarms 2326, 2328, which are then clamped to secure the mount. A panel 40is then mounted onto the mounting plate 2342.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket 700, shown in theopen configuration 702 and the closed configuration 704. This bracket isanother variant of the bracket shown in FIG. 6. In this case the bracketis formed, or manufactured with a right angled mounting portion 730which is located at an angle with respect to the clamping portions, suchas of 90°, when in the clamped configuration. This configuration allowsthe installer to perform the clamping operation to one side of the postand then the panel mounting operation in front of the post. This allowseasier installation as compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 whichmay require the fastening to be performed behind the post. Thisembodiment also illustrates another embodiment in which the postengaging portion further comprises a compressive liner 760. Thecompressive liner includes a plurality of projections or feet 762 whichengage with the post, and can thus compensate for variations inexpansion or irregularities in the shape of the post.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket 800 in the openconfiguration 802 and the closed configuration 804. In this embodimentthe post engaging portion is provided in two parts 812, 814 joined by ahinge 813. The two post engaging portions have a shape or profiledesigned to match the shape of the post 50 to which the brackets isclipped around. The first post engaging portion 812 spans at least 180°so that it may be clipped onto the post. The second post engagingportion is then moved towards the first post engaging portion to placethe bracket in the clamping configuration. In this embodiment theclamping portion includes a first clamping portion 822 joined to thefirst post engaging portion 812, and a second clamping portion 824joined to the second post engaging portion 814. The mounting portion 830is located at the end of the second clamping portion 824 (which acts asa stand off arm) and is orientated at 90° (ie orthogonal). In thisembodiment the first clamping portion 822 includes an aperture 826 andthe second post engaging portion 844 includes a projection 828 which isdesigned to pass through the aperture 826 when the second post engagingportion is moved into the clamping position. To clamp the bracket inplace, an aperture is provided in the projection 828 through which a pin829 is passed to retain the bracket in the clamping position.

The above examples illustrate various alternative embodiments of thebracket. These may be constructed from flat strips of suitable materialssuch as 1.2 mm thick 316 Stainless Steel. The bracket is designed toclip and grip onto posts of nominal (or standard) diameters. However dueto manufacturing variations the inner diameter or profile of thebracket, may not always match the diameter or profile of the post. Ifthe inner diameter of the bracket is too large compared to the diameterof the post then their may be insufficient frictional contact to ensurethe bracket remains in place after it is placed around the pole (ie itmay slip down). In this case the installer may simply have to squeezethe bracket once fitted (ie adjust the open configuration) to ensurethat the bracket clips onto and is retained around the post. Thisfacilitates clamping the bracket as the installer does not need to holdthe bracket at the desired height, and can instead concentrate oninstalling the fastener to clamp the bracket, reducing the risk ofdropping the fastener or tools when clamping the bracket. In a furtherembodiment, the bracket is designed to have an initial snap onconfiguration with a diameter larger than the nominal diameter, but witha portion that spans at least 180° and in which the opening is less thanthe nominal diameter so that the bracket will enclose the pipe, but notnecessarily grip the pipe. This will allow the bracket to be snapped onto the post but also prevent the bracket from falling off the support.The bracket can then be adjusted such as by hand deformation to reducethe radius from the initial configuration to the open clippingconfiguration so that it will then grip the pipe in the desiredposition. The bracket can then be clamped onto the post. In this caseinstallation would comprise snapping on the bracket, deforming thebracket to the open configuration to grip the post in the desiredposition, and then clamping the bracket in place.

To ensure there are no gaps between the walkway/kickboard and panel, andto facilitate stacking of panels and overlapping of panels, the upperand lower edges of the guard panels may be bent to an angle under 90° toform upper flange section 42 and lower flange section 44. As shown inFIG. 1C, the panel may be mounted so that the bent portions of the panelpoints towards the posts. The panel may be mounted so that the side wallof a handrail or walkway is substantially enclosed, such that the sidewall extends continuously from the floor plate to a point just below thehandrail sufficient to provide clearance to provide hand access to thehandrail. This is further illustrated in FIG. 1C, in which the lowerflange portion 42 rests upon the top edge of a kick plate 72 whichextends towards the floor 70. Further these flanges also act to stiffenthe panels.

In another embodiment the sheet may be a flat sheet with holes orapertures limited to a specific region of the sheet. For example if thebrackets and guard sheets are to be used on a level walkway and it isdesired to mount the guard sheet at a specific height, the bracketscould all be mounted at the specific height on the poles, and holescould be provided in a strip on the sheet only at the appropriate heightto ensure the guard panel is to be mounted at the desired height. Inanother alternative embodiment the guard panel could be provided as aflat sheet with no holes, and holes drilled as required. Alternativelythe mounting portion need not include apertures and these could bedrilled as required or self drilling TEK screws used to fasten the guardpanel to the mount.

Preferably the size of apertures (or gaps) in the panel are chosen sothat they are small enough to prevent, or at least to significantlyreduce the risk, of dropped objects falling through the apertures (or atleast dropped objects, and in particular tools, above a certain size).Suitable perforated sheets for use as guard panels may be source fromthe Locker group which manufacture sheets with a range of aperturessizes (1.6 mm to 9.5 mm), patterns (circles, squares, diamonds, clubs,etc), % open area (23 to 62%), and materials (steel alloys, Aluminium,etc). For example stock sheet R07962 comes in a standard size of2440×140 mm with holes of diameter 7.94 mm, a pitch (hole spacing) of9.55 mm and an open area 62%. Alternatively P081116 from the Grahamgroup may be used. Mesh sheets formed from a regular array of rods,wires or pipes characterised in having very high open area percentagesbut small gap sizes (eg sides with lengths from 5 mm up to around 200 mmor areas up to 40000 mm²) can be used for sites subject to high windloads (eg cyclonic). For example the mesh shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B isformed from wires with apertures of dimensions 25 mm×50 mm or 25 mmx 25mm. Sheets manufactured from lightweight materials such as fine meshes,plastics, including UV stabilised and corrosion resistant plastics (egPVC, PVCU, uPVC, TPU, and other polymers), wood, or other materialscould also be used. These should have sufficient strength to resistimpacts due to a dropped or kicked object. As shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E,adjacent guard panels may be overlapped by a short distance, such as 50mm, and can be fastened using self drilling or TEK screws. Otherfastening arrangements could be used, including means that takeadvantage of any overlapping holes between the panels. Alternativelyadjacent panels can be joined at the edge using a splice or joiningplate and appropriate fasteners, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 19Ato 19F and 20A to 20D.

A method for installing a guarding system to a handrail will now beoutlined with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Firstly a plurality ofbrackets are obtained and at least one bracket in the open configuration200 is clipped onto and retained around two or more support posts 50 andor handrails 60. Then, for each bracket clipped to a support post,moving one or more portions of the respective bracket to change theconfiguration of the bracket from the open configuration to the closedconfiguration, and then fastening the bracket in the closedconfiguration so as to clamp the bracket to the respective supportmember. This may be performed using a nut and bolt fastening arrangementor self drilling TEK screw. Once at least one bracket has been clampedto two support members, a guard panel may be fastened to the brackets.Adjacent guard panels can then be fastened together. FIG. 1C shows aside view illustrating a guard panel 40 attached to a bracket viamounting plate. In this embodiment the guard panel is mounted so thatthe lower flange 42 and upper flange 44 are directed towards the supportpost 50.

When installing the guarding system, the installer can add as many or asfew brackets as required based upon the length of the section to beenclosed, weight of materials and strength of the brackets. In oneembodiment the adjacent guard panels are each joined to each other,effectively forming a continuous panel. In this case a single bracketmay only be required every third stanchion (post) to support the panels.For lighter panels this could be extended, and for heavier panels abracket could be clipped and clamped to each post. Also the installercan choose the height at which to place the bracket. These could bealternated between high and low positions, or two (or more) bracketscould be fitted to each post at high and low positions. Additionallyrather than use a single panel which extends from the floor to thehandrail, multiple independent panel strips could be mounted so as topartially enclose the handrail.

FIG. 1 shows a handrail in which a horizontal support pole is located atapproximately mid height. In this case panel strips could be mounted inthe gaps above and below this support pole. Additionally corner joinersmay also be provided to allow plates meeting at a corner of a platformto be joined. FIG. 4D is an isometric view 403 of a corner section of aplatform with mesh guard panels 41 and corner joiners 410, and FIG. 4Eshows a close up view 402 of a corner joiner 410. The corners are joinedusing a right angled bracket 412 which is located behind the mesh panelsand extends along the vertical edge (it need not extend the fullheight). clamping brackets 1220 are placed on the left and right meshpanels so they each enclose one of the wires forming the left and rightmesh panels, and are then fastened (or clamped) in place using fasteners414 and 415.

Walkways, stairways, and platforms in many sites use grid mesh flooring.Grid mesh is characterised by closely spaced parallel load bars and moresparsely spaced intersecting cross bars. Typically the gaps betweenadjacent load bars and cross bars can be quite large allowing tools,equipment and other material (solid or liquids) to fall between thegaps. Additionally grid mesh stairs often have large vertical gapsbetween adjacent or successive stairs (or a stair and platform). Suchgaps can thus be a hazard for persons or equipment below.

FIGS. 9 a to 9 c illustrate two successive grid mesh steps in side view900 and isometric view 950, and a top view of a single stair 940. Thefirst or lower stair 910 includes an stair tread or nosing 912 which ifthe rounded or angled edge of the tread projecting over the riser andwhich is fastened onto the edge of the stair using vertical fasteners.The second or upper stair 930 similarly includes a nosing 932. The twosteps are separated by a rise 920 which is the vertical height from thetop of one tread to the top of the next. An overhang 94 is providedbetween the front edge of the upper stair and the rear edge of the lowerstair (typically about 15 mm). Each stair is comprised of a grid meshcomprising load bars 914 running parallel with the front edge of thestep, and transverse cross bars 916 running front to back. The load barsare typically closely spaced, such as with a 30 mm separation (pitch)and the cross bars are more widely spaced, typically with about a 100 mmseparation (pitch). The offset 918 between the edge of the stair and thefirst cross bar may be fixed distance, or may vary from step to step, orfrom stairway to stairway, or from site to site.

FIG. 10 shows a top view 1000 of an embodiment of a grid mesh floor usedin walkways and platforms. The grid mesh is a steel grating whichincludes load bars 1010 and cross bars 1020. A close up view 1030further illustrates the spacing arrangement in more detail. A first loadbar 1012 has a spacing 1016 of 30 mm from second load bar 1014, and bothload bars run between a first crossbar 104 and a second crossbar 1024which have a spacing 1026 of 100 mm. Side view 1040 illustrates the twoload bars 1012 and 1014. Each load bar has a depth 1042 of 32 mm betweenupper surface 1044 and lower surface 1046. Each load bar has a width of5 mm wide, thus defining an internal spacing 1018 between outer edges ofthe load bars of 25 mm based on a pitch of 30 mm. It is to be understoodthat such measurements are indicative only, and that other embodimentsmay use other dimensions.

As discussed in some environments it may be desirable to enclose orreduce the gaps in grid mesh flooring and/or the vertical rise betweensuccessive steps in stairways to provide full protection against adropped (or kicked) object falling from the walkway, stairs or platform.Referring now to FIGS. 11A to 11D there are shown various views of afirst flooring bracket for use in mounting a sheet above a grid meshfloor or grating according to embodiments of the system. FIGS. 14A to14HD illustrate an alternative embodiment of a flooring bracket. In bothembodiments the flooring bracket is inserted into gaps in the grid meshflooring, and is secured in place. Flooring may then be laid byattaching the flooring to mounting platforms on the upper surface of theinserted and secured floor brackets. FIGS. 16 to 18 illustrate variousguard panels that may be used to cover the vertical (riser) gap betweenthe stairs, and both the vertical gap and top surface of a stairaccording to embodiments of the system. These components of the systemprevent or limit tools and materials from falling through gaps in suchfloors or stairs, and can safely be fitted whilst on the floor orstairway.

FIG. 11A shows an isometric view 1101 of a flooring bracket 1100 for usein mounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh floor. FIGS. 11B to 11Dshow orthographic projections of the flooring bracket including top view1102, side view 1103 and end view 1104. FIG. 12A shows a side view 1210of the bracket in use (ie inserted into the floor) with a floor panel1220 fastened using fasteners 1232. FIG. 12B is a top view 1220 of afloor panel which is mounted using 4 (hidden) flooring brackets In thisembodiment the flooring bracket is constructed from 316 stainless steel1.2 mm thick although other materials (eg other metal alloys orplastics) and thicknesses may be used depending upon the operationalrequirements (eg required strength, corrosion resistance, etc). Theflooring bracket (or clip) includes an upper surface 1110 which includestwo flange portions 1112, 1114 which are for engaging the upper surfaceof two adjacent load bars (support members). These may be resilient totake up variations in the height of the cross bars. The upper surfacealso has a mounting portion 1116 to receive a fastener to allow mountingof a sheet to the top surface of the flooring bracket. Two resilientarms 114 1132 for engaging adjacent support members extend down from theupper surface 1110. The two arms are spaced apart 1140 by a distanceapproximately matching the gap 1018 between the interior side faces ofthe adjacent support members. Each arm has a lower projection 1124 1134for resiliently engaging the lower surface 1046 of the respectivesupport member so that in use the flooring bracket is retained byengaging the upper 1044 and lower 1046 surfaces of adjacent supportmembers. The resiliency of the arms allows the bracket to take upvariation in distances between load bars.

To provide resiliency, the mounting portion includes a first aperture1113 in the form of a slot, and a second aperture 1115 in the form of aslot. As can be seen in FIG. 11B, these slots are located in each flangeportion and are located above the space between adjacent supportmembers. The length of the slot may be varied to control the amount offlex or resiliency in the flange portions 1112 1114. As shown in FIG.12A, the apertures are angled down so as to provide a take up space 1152between the top of the bracket and the flooring plate. The mountingportion 1116 in the upper surface is a Vee shaped groove centred on thecentreline of the flooring bracket. This facilitates insertion of thebracket into the space between load bars by acting as a hinge or pivotto allow the arms to move towards each other as they are inserted,before resiliently springing back when the lower projections extend pastthe lower surface of the load bars. The groove also separates and spacesapart the two flange portions 1112 1114, and also acts as a stiffeningrib.

The lower projection on each arm is an inclined plate section whichoutwardly projects from the arm towards the lower face of the respectivesupport member. As can be seen in FIG. 12, wherein the two lowerprojection of each arm subtend an angle of 30°. That is they areinclined at an angle of 15° with respect to the arm. The outermost edgeof the projections 1126 1136 is aligned with the outer edge of therespective flange portion.

Side view 1210 of a flooring bracket inserted into grate is shown inFIG. 12A. The inserted bracket 1100 is retained by adjacent load bars1012 1014. The spacing 1140 of arms 1114 and 1132 matches the internalspacing 1018 between inner edges of the load bars, whilst the spacing1142 of the ends of the projections 1126 1136, and flanges 1112, 1114matches the pitch spacing 1016 of the load bars. A flooring sheet 1220is fastened to the mounting portion using screw fastener 1232 throughthe V. A top view 1240 shows the sheet 1220 the top of fasteners 1232which fasten the sheet to the bracket.

The flooring bracket can thus be used as part of a guarding system formounting a floor sheet to cover a grid mesh floor. FIGS. 13A to 13Fillustrate isometric views 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340, 1350 and 1360 of theinstallation of floor brackets and mounting of a sheet to a grid meshfloor 1000 according to an embodiment. This system can be installed byfirst obtaining a plurality of flooring brackets and sheets. The sheetsmay be made of any suitable material such as steel mesh, flat orpatterned sheet, wood, plastic etc. It may further include tread or ananti-slip pattern or treatment on one side. A floor bracket 1100 isinserted into the gap between two adjacent support members until theflooring bracket is retained by the two adjacent support members asshown in views 1310 and 1320 of FIGS. 13A and 13B. The resiliency of thebracket and the flange portions and lower projections allow the bracketto be inserted, and to self-lock in place. Multiple flooring bracketsare inserted and a sheet 1220 is placed over the top of them asillustrated in views 1330 and 1340 of FIGS. 13C and 13D. Then for eachof the flooring brackets inserted into the gap between two adjacentsupport members a sheet is fastened to the top surface of the insertedflooring bracket via the mounting portion. This may be performed usingvarious fasteners such as self drilling TEK screws 1232 as shown inviews 1350 and 1360 of FIGS. 13E and 13F. Finally adjacent sheets may befastened together using fasteners such as self drilling TEK screws.

Another embodiment of a flooring bracket 1400 is illustrated in FIGS.14A to 14D which comprises an upper portion 1410, a fastener 1420 and alower channel portion 1430. FIG. 14A is an isometric view 1401 fromabove and FIG. 14B is an isometric view 1402 from below of a flooringbracket. FIGS. 14C to 14E illustrate orthographic top 1403, side 1404,and end views 1405 of the upper portion, and FIGS. 14F to 14H illustrateorthographic top 1406, side 1407, and end views 1408 of the lowerchannel portion. The upper portion 1410 includes an upper surface intowhich a fastener may be fastened to secure a flooring sheet onto theupper surface. The upper portion further includes two flange portions1412, 1413 which project downwards into the gap between adjacent loadbars 1012 1014. These lock against the load bars to prevent or limitrotation of the inserted bracket. The width of the flange portions canbe selected based on a predefined minimum load bar spacing (eg for aknown mesh), or a range of brackets may be provided with varying flangelengths to accommodate different or variations in load bar spacing. Theupper portion also has a recess 1414 with an aperture 1415 to receive abracket fastener 1420. The recess 1214 is to accommodate the head of thebracket fastener 1420 so that in use the top surface of the fastener1420 is below the mounting surface 1410. The bracket fastener has ashaft 1422 and a threaded lower end 1424 which is received by anaperture 1436 in the lower channel portion 1430. The channel portion hasa width less than the spacing of the load bars 1018 and a length lessthan the cross bar spacing, so that the lower channel portion may beinserted into the rectangular gap formed by intersection of cross barsand load bars. The opposite walls 1432, 1433 of the channel portioninclude alternate cut away portions 1434, 1435. That is the cutawaysections of opposite walls are located at opposite ends as shown inFIGS. 14A, 14B and 14F.

The locking action of the flooring bracket is illustrated in FIGS. 15Ato 15F which also illustrates isometric (1501, 1503, 1505) and side(1502, 1504, 1506) views of installation of the bracket. In FIGS. 15Aand 15B, the bracket 1400 is inserted between load bars 1012 1014, untilthe upper portion rests on the load bars with the flanges 1412, 1413located between the load bars, and with the lower channel portionpositioned so that the upper surface of the walls 1432, 1433 are locatedabove the lower surface of the load bars, whilst the cutaway portions1434, 1435 of the walls are below the lower surface of the load bars.The initial distance of the lower channel portion from the top plate canbe determined prior to installation of the bracket (eg by measuring thedepth of the load bars), and the brackets could be provided in apreassembled form for standard floor mesh sizes. The shaft of thefastener 1422 is rotated which forces rotation of the channel portion,until the walls 1432 1433 rest against the load bars as shown in FIGS.15C and 15D. Further rotation of the shaft 1433 draws the lower channelportion upwards until cut away portions engages with the lower surfaceof the load bars to lock the floor bracket in place as shown in FIGS.15E and 15F.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are an isometric view 1600 of a step guard forenclosing the vertical rise between adjacent steps in a stairway, and anisometric view 1650 of a stairway with a fitted step guard. The riserplate comprises a central plate 1620 with a first set of tongue andgrooves 1610 along on the upper edge, and tongue and grooves on thelower edge 1630. The central plate section is angled with respect to thetongue and groove sections to span the overhang 94. Typically thehorizontal overhang distance will be defined in a standard and thecentral plate will be angled so that it spans a distance slightly inexcess of this distance (ie is over bent). For example the overhang maybe 15 mm in which case the riser plate will be angled to span as 16 or17 mm. This ensures that the plate will be sprung to positively engageagainst both the upper and lower stair. The riser plate is fitted byfirst removing the nosing (stair tread) 932 of the upper stair 930 andthen inserting the lower tongues of the riser plate into the gapsbetween cross bars at the rear edge of the lower stair. The upper tongueand grooves are then placed against the front edge of the upper stairand the stair tread is refastened to the upper stair to lock the riserplate in place. This is further illustrated in the isometric view 1650of stairs fitted with the riser plate in FIG. 16.

Additionally the tongues (or projections) in the upper first set oftongue and grooves may be offset with respect to the tongues in thelower second set of tongue and grooves in order to accommodate a rangeof distances between the edge of a step and the first cross bar in thestep. This increases the usability of the rise plate as the offsetdistance 918 to the first cross bar, and then the subsequent cross bars,may not be located in a position to allow all the lower tongues of theriser plate to be inserted into gaps in the lower stair, ie one of thetongues may foul on a crossbar and prevent insertion into the lowerstep. In such a case the riser plate may be inverted, and as the tonguesare offset between the top and bottom, the offset may be sufficient toallow the previously upper tongues to be inserted into the lower gap. Inthis case the fouling tongue is thus replaced with a clearing groove. Assteps typically have standard widths, and cross bars in grid meshtypically have standard offset distances (eg 100 mm), then the requiredoffset between the upper and lower tongues can be predetermined duringmanufacture based on these known distances so that the riser can be usedon most stairs in either the standard or inverted configuration.

A further advantage of this riser is that it reuses the existing nosingon stairs, which thus saves overall cost (as new treads are notrequired). The plate may be manufactured from 0.8 mm steel platesufficient to resist denting by steel cap boots or dropped objects.Additionally apertures such as slots or vents may be cut into the riserplate to reduce wind load on the structure. Alternatively othermaterials such as flattened diamond mesh or perforated steel may beused.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are an isometric view 1700 of another step guard forenclosing the vertical rise between adjacent steps in a stairway, and anisometric view 1750 of a stairway with a fitted step guard. In thisembodiment the upper edge includes a stair tread, and the unit is notinvertible. This step guard may thus be used on new stairs or onexisting stairs if the existing nosing is removed. The lower edge stillincludes a set of tongue and grooves 1730, although fewer tongues(projections) are used in this embodiment. The spacing is again based onthe known or predetermined spacing of crossbars. In the event that atongue fouls a cross bar, it can be bent backwards (away from the stair)or cut off as required. The rise section 1720 is again inclined and overbent to ensure it engages both stairs. The tread 1710 includes ananti-slip surface, such as burst extruded holes or abrasive coating. Thetread or riser plate may be secured to the upper stair using fastenerssuch as TEK screws into the stair or by using the flooring bracketdescribed above inserted into the gaps in the front of the stair. Theplate may be manufactured from 1.2 mm steel plate to provide a strongedge on the stair tread. Additionally apertures such as slots or ventsmay be cut into the riser plate to reduce wind load on the structure.Alternatively other materials such as flattened diamond mesh, perforatedsteel (or other metals or metal alloys), wire mesh, plastics, etc may beused.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are an isometric view 1800 of a another step guard forenclosing the vertical rise between adjacent steps in a stairway and forcovering the top surface of the step, and an isometric view 1850 of astairway with a fitted step guard. In this embodiment the riser plate1830 is inclined with a flat top edge 1840 for engaging the front faceof the upper step. Additionally apertures such as slots or vents may becut into the riser plate to reduce wind load on the structure.Alternatively other materials such as flattened diamond mesh, perforatedsteel (or other metals or metal alloys), wire meshes, plastics, etc maybe used. The step guard also includes a stair plate 1820, for at leastpartially covering and reducing the size of the gaps between grid meshelements in the lower step, as shown in view 1850. The stair plate maybe manufactured from steel plate, with no apertures, perforated steelplate, steel plate with burst extruded holes, or other metals orplastics etc. To provide a strong burst extruded edge the plate may bemanufactured from 1.2 mm steel plate. The step guard also includes astair tread 1810 for engaging with the front and upper edge of the lowerstep. The overhang of the stair tread 1810 will be sufficient to sitover the top edge 1840 of the lower step guard. A single set ofhorizontal fasteners may be used to fasten a step guard to a step.Alternatively the flooring bracket described above maybe inserted intothe gaps in the front of the stair and vertical fasteners such as TEKscrews used to fasten the step guard to the top of the stair. In anotherembodiment, the top edge 1840 could be omitted so that adjacent stepguards approach each other (eg leaving a small 5 mm gap) or meet, ratherthan overlapping.

In an alternative embodiment, the riser plate could be attached to thebottom of the stair guard (ie front edge), and only a small verticalsection (equivalent to 1840) provide on the rear edge of the stair plate(for overlapping with the bottom of the riser plate of the next stepguard. In this case a step guard such as that illustrated in FIG. 17A to18A would be required for the final vertical gap between the last stairand a platform.

In regions subject to high wind loads, the guard panels may be wire mesharrangements such as those illustrated in FIGS. 19A to 19F. These may bejoined together using splice brackets (or plates) as shown in FIGS. 19Ato 19F and 20A to 20D. FIG. 19A shows an isometric view 1901, of twoadjacent mesh panels 1910, 1911 which are joined along edge 1912. Inthis embodiment the wires in the mesh are spaced to form a 25 mm×50 mmaperture. The bracket is illustrated in a close up isometric view 1903in FIG. 19C, and a side section view 2050 shown in FIG. 20E. The splicebracket 1913 is formed using a rear bracket 2010 having a plurality ofapertures 2012 along the centre line as shown in FIG. 20A (eg 25.4mm×100 mm) and a wide front plate 2030 with aperture 2032 as shown inFIG. 20C (eg 25.4 mm×45 mm). The rear bracket spans the adjacent panelsand has flanged edged 2013 2014. The vertical length of the rear bracketis greater than at least the horizontal mesh spacing so that adjacenthorizontal mesh wires are contained within the flanged edges of the rearbracket as shown in FIG. 20E. A first wide bracket 2030 is placed overone half of the bracket to enclose the horizontal mesh wires of one ofthe mesh panels, and a fastener 1915 is used to fasten the wide bracket2030 to the rear bracket 2010 as shown in FIG. 20E. The width of thewide bracket (eg 45 mm) is less than the width or spacing of thevertical mesh wires of the mesh panel (eg 50 mm). This procedure is thenrepeated with a second wide bracket 2030 to fasten the rear bracket tothe adjacent panel, thereby joining (or fastening) the adjacent panelstogether to form the splice bracket.

In the case that wire mesh is used, the washer plate of FIG. 2J may beused. FIGS. 21A to 21D to isometric views 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104 of thewasher plate of FIG. 2J in a range of orientations for fastening theguard panel to the bracket. FIG. 21A illustrates a wire mesh withadjacent vertical wires 2121 and 2122, and adjacent horizontal wires2123 and 2124. A washer plate 2131 is fastened to a bracket 2110 clampedto a knee rail 2111 (via TEK screws 2133 and 2134) on an angle such thatthe flanges of the washer plate are directed towards the wire mesh andenclose vertical wire 2121. FIG. 21B illustrates the same wire mesh butwith the washer plate 2132 horizontal such that the flanges of thewasher plate are directed towards the wire mesh and enclose horizontalwire 2124. FIG. 21C illustrates a wire mesh with adjacent vertical wires2125 and 2126, and adjacent horizontal wires 2127 and 2128. A washerplate 2151 is fastened to a bracket 2140 clamped to a stanchion 2141(via TEK screws 2153 and 2154) in an inverted vertical orientation (iewith outwardly directed flanges) so that horizontal wires 2127 and 2128are clamped between the washer plate and the mounting plate of thebracket. FIG. 21D illustrates the same wire mesh but with the washerplate 2152 vertical such that the flanges of the washer plate aredirected towards the wire mesh and enclose vertical wire 2126.

Narrow meshes can also be provided for corners, or specialised sections,such as near stairs as shown in FIGS. 19B, 19D to 19F (eg with aperturesof 25 mm×25 mm). Adjacent mesh panels can be joined using a combinationof rear bracket 2010 (eg 25.4 mm×100 mm), narrow bracket 2020 (eg 25.4mm×20 mm) and wide brackets 2030 (eg 25.4 mm×45 mm). FIG. 19Dillustrates an isometric view 1904 of joining a wide mesh 1910 with anarrow mesh 1920, and uses a single rear bracket 2010 to span adjacentmeshes, a single wide bracket 2030 for use with the wide mesh, and twonarrow brackets 2020 for use with narrow mesh. Each of the narrowbrackets 2030 has a width less than the width of the vertical mesh wiresof the narrow mesh panel. FIG. 19E illustrates an isometric view 1905 ofthe joining of two narrow meshes, and uses a single rear bracket to spanadjacent meshes, and a set of two narrow brackets for use with eachnarrow mesh (ie four in total). FIGS. 19B and 19F illustrates isometricviews 1902 1906 of the joining of a horizontal narrow mesh panel 1920 toan inclined mesh panel 1930. FIG. 20D illustrates a U shaped end piece2040 with a channel 2042 which receives and encloses the edge of theinclined panel 1930 (eg over a distance of about 50 mm so it overlapsthe rear bracket). A rear bracket is attached to a narrow mesh panelusing two narrow brackets 2020, and a fastener 1924 is then fastenedthrough the U shaped end piece such that the fastener is contained witha grid of the inclined grid mesh, and then fastened to the rear bracket2020 (via one of the apertures 2014).

Variants of the above system are also possible. For example a droppedobject prevention system can be provided for a guardrail comprising aplurality of support members each having a predefined profile and afloor. A plurality of brackets can be attached to two or more of theplurality of support members and can be used for mounting a guard panel.Each bracket comprises a post engaging portion to allow the bracket tobe clipped onto and retained about a support member from above the floorand within the guardrail prior to clamping, and then subsequentlyclamped around the support member. The bracket also comprises a mountingportion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panelto the bracket, and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate fromthe post. The system also comprises a plurality of guard panels forattachment to the plurality of brackets to enclose at least a portion ofa vertical space of an open sidewall of the guardrail. Each guard panelis mounted to the mounting portion of at least one bracket, and in useis mounted from above the floor and within the guard rail. In oneembodiment each bracket has an open configuration to allow the bracketto be clipped onto one of the plurality of support member, and the postengaging portion spans at least a 180° angle around the post and havinga radius matching the radius of the post, and the bracket ismanufactured from resilient material such that when clipped onto thepost the bracket does not plastically deform. Each guard panel cancomprise a plurality of apertures or a mesh to reduce the weight andwind load of the system.

The system and components, and variants described herein, can beretrofitted to open safety barrier systems, such as handrails,guardrails, walkways, platforms, etc, or can be included as part of theinstallation of such barrier systems. The modularity of the componentsin the system also allows selective use of the components, or thecomplete system only in those regions requiring additional protection.For example the complete system may only be required in locations whichare elevated or which may become slippery (whether due to environmentaleffects or spillage of materials being carried). Alternatively just theguard panels could just be fitted around elevated platforms where thegreatest risk is losing equipment or even persons through the gaps inthe handrail. Similarly for handrails or walkways which provide a safepassage between equipment, the guard panels and/or flooring could onlybe placed where it is important to prevent accidental contact by aperson and surrounding equipment (such as due to a person fallingthrough the gaps in the handrail) or even to stop material being carriedon the walkway from accidentally contaminating the surrounding area. Thesystem could also be provided as a kit or kits (eg side panel kit,stairway kit, flooring kit, etc) comprising one or more componentsdescribed herein such as brackets guard panels, fasteners, washerplates, joiners, floor brackets, flooring, riser plates etc. Further thesystem and components do not require the installer to place themselvesor tools outside of barrier and into potentially unsafe locations,allowing safe installation from above the floor and within the guardrails. For example, in the case of an elevated walkway the installer canremain safely within the confines of the walkway at all times whilstinstalling the system, and there is typically no need for the installerto put an arm holding a tool outside the handrail or under a stair orplatform, or perform any work at height (eg from external scaffolding orcranes). Further the use of a clipping configuration on the bracketsallows them to be placed on and retained around support members. Thespring action of bracket securely clips the bracket to the pipe when inthe open position. Thus there is little or no risk of the bracketfalling and the installer is then free to safely pick up othercomponents or tools without losing or dropping the bracket. Further thestandoff arm of the bracket allows panel to be secured to the bracketfrom inside of the handrail. This allows safe installation and ensuresthat these components do not become dropped objects themselves.Similarly the installation of the floor brackets and sheets can be donefrom above (i.e. on the walkway) and again does not require theinstaller to place themselves or tools outside of the confines of thewalkway. Thus the installer can safely and progressively install thesystem.

Another advantage of the system is that it doesn't compromise thestructural integrity of an existing safety barrier system. The use ofbrackets which clip onto the existing handrail or walkway structureeliminates the need for drilling into or welding to the handrailstructure. The use of open mesh panels or sheets with apertures addsminimal additional wind load. Another advantage of the system is that itavoids the need to perform any hot work (e.g. welding) when installingthe system. In some industrial sites (e.g. chemical sites and mines) hotwork can be potentially dangerous, or incur significant overhead such asshutting down certain processes and obtaining hot work permits,barricading off of areas and posting of sentries, and thus avoiding anyneed to perform hot work simplifies the overall installation process,and minimally impacts other activities occurring at the site.

Further the system and components include a number of features which canassist in speeding up the installation process. The use of an extendedslot in the bracket allows it deformed from hand from the open to theclosed position. Additionally the use of a plurality of holes in themounting bracket and in the guarding panels means these can be installedin both flat and inclined configurations providing greater flexibilityin use.

In summary the system and components can be installed from above thefloor or stairway and within the hand rails, so there is no need to workat height to install the system. Further the system and components areby design unlikely to become dropped objects themselves duringinstallation. Further the system components do not require any welding,and subsequent repainting of structures to install. This allowsinstallation with minimal disturbance to the work site, as no hot workpermits are required, nor is there is a need for a sentry norbarricading off of lower levels. The various combination of featuresdescribed herein thus provides an efficient and useful system andcomponents for safely enclosing safety barrier systems such ashandrails, walkways, stairs, platforms, and other open barriers used ina variety of locations.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” andvariations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood toimply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but notthe exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. The referenceto any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be takenas, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior artforms part of the common general knowledge. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the system is not restricted in its use tothe particular application described. Neither is the present systemrestricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particularelements and/or features described or depicted herein, includingdimensions and materials. It will be appreciated that the system is notlimited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the scope of as set forth and defined by the followingclaims.

1. A guarding system for enclosing a substantially open sidewall of a barrier system, the barrier system comprising a plurality of support members each having a predefined profile, comprising: a plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the plurality of support members, each of the plurality of brackets comprising: a post engaging portion wherein the post engaging portion has an open configuration to allow the bracket to be removably clipped onto and retained around the post whilst in the open configuration, and a closed configuration to allow clamping of the post engaging portion to the post; a clamping portion comprising: a first clamping portion; and a second clamping portion wherein in the closed configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards the first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post and are fastened in the closed configuration by a first set of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in the first and second clamping portions; and a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket with a second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm is orthogonal to the mounting plate; and a plurality of guard panels for attachment to the plurality of brackets, to enclose at least a portion of the vertical space of the open sidewall.
 2. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the post engaging portion is located between the mounting portion and the clamping portion and comprises: a profile matching at least a portion of the predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open configuration and the first and second clamping portions extend from a first end and a second end of the post engaging portion so that movement of the first clamping portion towards the second clamping portion clamps the bracket around the post to form the closed configuration.
 3. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the post engaging portion comprises: a clip portion having a profile matching at least a portion of the predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open configuration; and a moveable portion comprising a slot to allow the moveable portion to be deformed to allow the bracket to be reconfigured from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
 4. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed from a single sheet of material.
 5. The guarding system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the material is stainless steel.
 6. The guarding system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the slot extends over at a least 90° arc of the post when in the closed position.
 7. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping portion is located between the mounting portion and the post engaging portion and the clamping portions provides the standoff arm.
 8. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate further comprises a plurality of apertures to allow a guard panel to be mounted at a range of locations and inclinations with respect to the plate.
 9. The guarding system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting plate is provided with an aperture free portion in front of the region the first set of one or more fasteners used to clamp the bracket together will be located so that in use, the first set of one or more fasteners do not interfere with the second set of one or more fasteners used to mount the guard panel to the mounting plate.
 10. The guarding system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of washer plates for use in mounting panels to brackets, each washer plate comprising a flat plate with two apertures spaced apart by a first spacing distance, wherein the first spacing distance matches the spacing between at least two apertures in the plurality of apertures on the mounting plate of a bracket
 11. The guarding system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged into two or more pairs of apertures having the first spacing distance, and the two or more pairs are arranged to allow mounting of guard panels in two or more predefined orientations.
 12. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel is mounted to extend continuously up from the floor to a height below the handrail sufficient to provide hand access to the handrail, so as to substantially enclose side wall of the barrier.
 13. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein lower edge of the panels are flanged so that when mounted the flange portion engages the top of the sidewall of the floor.
 14. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein guard panels are formed from a sheet comprising a plurality of apertures.
 15. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein guard panels are formed from a mesh sheet so that the additional wind load on the structure is minimised.
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open barrier system further comprises a grid mesh floor comprising at two support members having a predefined profile and pitch, a plurality of floor sheets and a plurality of flooring brackets for mounting a floor sheet to cover at least a section of the grid mesh floor, each flooring bracket comprising: an upper surface comprising: two flange portions for engaging the upper surface of two adjacent support members in a grid mesh floor; and a mounting portion to allow mounting of a sheet to the top surface of the flooring bracket; two resilient arms for engaging adjacent support members, each arm connected to the upper surface and spaced apart by distance matching the gap between the interior side faces of the adjacent support members and each arm having a lower projection for resiliently engaging the lower surface of the respective support member so that in use the flooring bracket is retained by engaging the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent support members.
 20. The guarding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open barrier system further comprises a grid mesh floor comprising at two support members having a predefined profile and pitch, a plurality of floor sheets and a plurality of flooring brackets for mounting a floor sheet to cover at least a section of the grid mesh floor, each flooring bracket comprising: an upper surface comprising a mounting portion for mounting a floor sheet, and at least one flange portion with a width less than the predefined pitch spacing; a lower channel portion, comprising a bottom surface and two opposite side walls, wherein the opposite sidewalls comprise alternate cut away portions located at opposite ends of the channel; and a fastener which passes though an aperture in the upper surface and an aperture in the bottom surface of the lower channel portion, and having a shaft portion joining the upper surface, wherein in use, the flooring bracket is inserted between adjacent load bars of the grid mesh floor such that the at least on flange portion is located between adjacent load bars, and the side walls of the lower channel portion are at a position above the bottom edge of a load bar and the lower channel portions are a position below the bottom edge of the load bar, and rotating the fastener causes the channel portion to move upwards and engage with the bottom edge of the load bars to lock the flooring bracket to the grid mesh floor.
 21. A method of installing a guarding system for enclosing a substantially open sidewall of a barrier system comprising a plurality of support members, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the plurality of support members each of the brackets comprising: a post engaging portion wherein the post engaging portion has an open configuration to allow the bracket to be removably clipped onto and retained around the post whilst in the open configuration, and a closed configuration to allow clamping of the post engaging portion to the post; a clamping portion comprising: a first clamping portion; and a second clamping portion wherein in the closed configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards the first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post and are fastened in the closed configuration by a first set of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in the first and second clamping portions; and a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket with a second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm is orthogonal to the mounting plate; and obtaining at least one guard panel for attachment to the plurality of brackets, to enclose at least a portion of the vertical space of the substantially open sidewall; clipping at least one of the plurality of brackets to each of two or more of the plurality of support members; for each of the at least one brackets clipped to each of the two or more of the plurality of support members: moving one or more portions of the respective bracket to change the configuration of the bracket from the open configuration to the closed configuration; and fastening the bracket in the closed configuration so as to clamp the bracket to the respective support member; fastening one of the at least one guard panel to at least one bracket clamped to one of the two or more of the plurality of support members.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising fastening adjacent guard panels together.
 23. A bracket for use in mounting a guard panel to a post having a predefined profile in an open barrier system so as to reduce the dropped object hazard, comprising: a post engaging portion wherein the post engaging portion has an open configuration to allow the bracket to be removably clipped onto and retained around the post whilst in the open configuration, and a closed configuration to allow clamping of the post engaging portion to the post; a clamping portion comprising: a first clamping portion; and a second clamping portion wherein in the closed configuration the second clamping portion is brought towards the first clamping portion to clamp the bracket to the post and are fastened in the closed configuration by a first set of one or more fasteners passing through apertures in the first and second clamping portions; and a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket with a second set of one or more fasteners and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post, wherein the standoff arm is orthogonal to the mounting plate.
 24. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the post engaging portion is located between the mounting portion and the clamping portion and comprises: a profile matching at least a portion of the predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open configuration and the first and second clamping portions extend from a first end and a second end of the post engaging portion so that movement of the first clamping portion towards the second clamping portion clamps the bracket around the post to form the closed configuration.
 25. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the post engaging portion comprises: a clip portion having a profile matching at least a portion of the predefined profile of the post to allow clipping of the bracket to the post when in the open configuration; and a moveable portion comprising a slot to allow the moveable portion to be deformed to allow the bracket to be reconfigured from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
 26. The bracket as claimed in claim 25 wherein the slot extends over at a least 90° arc section of the post when in the closed position.
 27. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the bracket is formed from a single sheet of material.
 28. The bracket as claimed in claim 27, wherein the material is stainless steel.
 29. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the clamping portion is located between the mounting portion and the post engaging portion and the clamping portions provides the standoff arm.
 30. The bracket as claimed in claim 23, wherein the mounting plate further comprises a plurality of apertures to allow a guard panel to be mounted at a range of locations and inclinations with respect to the plate.
 31. The bracket as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mounting plate is provided with an aperture free portion in front of the region the first set of one or more fasteners used to clamp the bracket together will be located so that in use, the first set of one or more fasteners do not interfere with the second set of one or more fasteners used to mount the guard panel to the mounting plate.
 32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled)
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled)
 36. (canceled)
 37. (canceled)
 38. (canceled)
 39. A dropped object prevention system for a guardrail, the guardrail comprising a plurality of support members each having a predefined profile and a floor, comprising: a plurality of brackets for attachment to two or more of the plurality of support members and for mounting a guard panel, each bracket comprising a post engaging portion to allow the bracket to be clipped onto and retained about a support member from above the floor and within the guardrail prior to clamping, and then subsequently clamped around the support member, and a mounting portion comprising a mounting plate to allow mounting of the guard panel to the bracket, and a standoff arm for spacing the mounting plate from the post a plurality of guard panels for attachment to the plurality of brackets to enclose at least a portion of a vertical space of an open sidewall of the guardrail, wherein each guard panel is mounted to the mounting portion of at least one bracket, and in use is mounted from above the floor and within the guard rail.
 40. The dropped object prevention system as claimed in claim 39, wherein each bracket has an open configuration to allow the bracket to be clipped onto one of the plurality of support member, and the post engaging portion spans at least a 180° angle around the post and has a radius matching the radius of the post, and the bracket is manufactured from resilient material such that when clipped onto the post the bracket does not plastically deform.
 41. The dropped object prevention system as claimed in claim 39, wherein each guard panel comprises a plurality of apertures. 